Efforts on to notify Ratapani, Durgavati Nauradehi as tiger reserves

 

 

 

Under its tiger conservation plan, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has proposed to develop the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Rani Durgavati Sanctuary in Damoh and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagar as tiger reserves. After notifying the sanctuaries as tiger reserve, tigers would have adequate space and there will be food, water availability for them. During Census 2014, there were 308 tigers in Madhya Pradesh while in Census 2018, population of tigers increased to 526. In Census 2022, Forest Department is expecting higher count of tigers and additional movement of big cats in conserved areas. Experts said that population of tigers and leopards are growing around the State but number of tiger reserves and sanctuaries are same. They said there are six tiger reserve, 10 national parks, 24 sanctuaries. They said that in past 8 years, incidents of tiger movement around residential areas have been increased. With rising count of animals, they need adequate space for movement.

Rani Durgavati Sanctuary is spread over 23.2 sqkm of area which is the shortest sanctuary of state. After notifying the area as tiger reserve, it would have additional space.

After adding Tendukheda, Singrampur and Tejgarh forest circle of the district Rani Durgavati would have 204 sqkm of area for wildlife. Nauradehi is already spread over 1200 sqkm of area. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is currently having 824 sqkm of area and after notifying it tiger reserve, it would have 150 sqkm of more area. Experts said that if Ken-Betwa Link project harms the Panna Tiger Reserve, tigers can move